"Frontier Bombay Sappers and Miners" Topic

Like a total fool, I sold off my Frontier Bombay sappers and miners way back in the last century when I first got back into The Hobby™.

I have given up asking when or if ever the Frontier line will reappear in production. That boat has left the train station, I am afraid.
Does anyone have a secret stash?
I only need about 20 for a TSATF or Black Powder unit.

Or, are there "other" figures that would serve as well? I had a TMP thread years ago on this subject.

John,
I think what you need to look for are Muslim Infantry and opposed to Sikhs, they have the right look. The size is the problem, not that many true 25mm NW Frontier ranges out there. Of course you could go with the "Gunga Din, Holywood" look and use the Ral Partha Egyptians with the full packs.

John,

My best answer was EUREKA "Punjabi Indian Pioneer c.1880".

They come with loose shovels and picks to glue to their backs.
Unfortunately I can't copy-&-paste a pic from their site, but here's a LINK to the pic:

link

…and a LINK to the item page on their site:

link

Finally, here's a couple of pics showing a trio of survivors at the end of a Maiwand game, one of which is a Bombay Sapper. You can just barely make out the top of the pick he's carrying on his back…

John,
Look for rudiscott on eBay. In the past few months he has had several bags of Frontier 25's up for auction. He may post here as well.
Talk on Colonial Wars said he may have a tenuous link with the fellow that holds the molds.

Don

John,

Found a better pic of my Eureka Punjabi Sappers…

Mad Guru, Great looking figs. I hope mine look half as good when I finally paint my Eureka figs up.
Cheers,
Sgt. Guinness

Thanks, Sarge!!! High praise indeed, and very much appreciated!!!

Since you have yet to paint them up, I'll mention that I realized -- sadly for myself, after-the-fact -- I could have made the Eureka sapper/pioneer figures even better by gluing Empress Miniatures folded-&-strapped-blankets -- as seen amidst this pile of stuff in their Anglo-Zulu "Accessory pack" -- onto their backs first…

…and gluing their picks or shovels on atop them.

Doing that would actually make them look even more like those old Frontier Indian Army Sappers John the OFM mentioned, which I also remember as very nice figures.